A/N: Well, this is my first Tomione story, and my first story written on this site actually. I've yet to get into the swing of things, but hopefully this story will have a couple of supporters :) Also, I don't have a beta reader, so I apologize for any mistakes you may come across.

Disclaimer: I wish I could be a millionaire who owns the wonderful characters of Harry Potter, but last time I checked, this is real life. So all the credits go to J.K Rowling.

Keep in mind that while this story is completely AU, I have done my best to stay true to the character's canon personalities, and you may find a lot of parallels/metaphors throughout.

- iYoopYup

It really was a miracle, how Hermione Granger – so young, so new to the medical world – managed to land an internship with renowned medical prodigy, Tom Riddle.

He had started off as a huge rumour among university students; the strapping young man who excelled in every aspect of his academic life, while still managing to remain but a beautiful mystery to his fellow classmates – he was perfection, really. And not a single person outside of his university had believed such rumours until his name had been printed in all the newspapers, until his image had been plastered on billboards, on magazine covers and on the walls of countless aspiring doctors.

And now, Miss Granger had the opportunity to work as his intern, to dive into the exciting world of medicine, to observe the very techniques that got him to medical royalty, to see those chiseled features and smoldering grey eyes up close-

"Oh God," Hermione muttered, mentally slapping herself. Tom Riddle was indeed attractive – anyone could see that. And Hermione was unfortunately one of many young women who couldn't help but smile at the thought of being in Dr. Riddle's good graces. But first and foremost, she had her internship to worry about, her entire career to worry about.

"He seems quite arrogant, doesn't he?" Ron Weasley asked bitterly, though it escaped as more of a statement. His arms were folded tightly across his chest, with his body slumped against one of the cushiony chairs of the café. "Thinks he's so great just because he finished medical school just a little earlier than everyone else."

"Becoming a successful cardiac surgeon at twenty-three? Even I'd be a little arrogant," Hermione replied. She swirled the remaining foam in her coffee and sported a small grin. "Don't know how he'd managed to do it, but he's quite amazing, isn't he?"

Ron noticed the flush in her cheeks and rolled his eyes. "Bloody hell, 'Mione! Could you be any more in love with Riddle? Might as well slap a label on your forehead saying Riddle's Groupie."

"Funny, I always thought your eyes were blue – not green," Hermione hissed, her eyes narrowing at her freckled ex-boyfriend.

"I'm not jealous, Hermione," he stated, a little too matter-of-factly. Hermione squirmed awkwardly in her seat, quickly avoiding Ron's piercing stare. They had just gotten through an awkward break-up, more sided towards Hermione to say the least. As much as she cared for Ron, the spark had too soon died between them, and Hermione prioritized her career over the rekindling of…well, whatever they had.

"Sorry." Hermione took another shaky sip of her coffee and set it back down hesitantly as Ron watched her every move. "I guess I'm just a little anxious."

"I just want you to focus on the work is all," Ron said. "Don't get caught up in his supposedly smoldering eyes."

"You're hilarious Ron, really." Hermione glanced down at her watch and nearly choked on her own spit. "I'm late!" She had only a few more minutes to rush to Hogwarts Hospital, nearly halfway across town. Grabbing her worn-out messenger bag, she gave a quick goodbye to Ron and was on her way out.

First day and you're already late? Pull yourself together, Granger!

To Hermione's dismay, the eerie London fog had been accompanied by heavy showers. Great. Now I'll be coming to my first day on the job while soaking wet. Bracing her bushy hair in her hands,she took another quick glance at her watch and blew the stray strands of hair from her face, her heart beating out of her chest. She could make it, of course she could! Even still, Riddle gave the impression of being a patient, understanding man, right? He was probably in her place before – he should know what it's like to be in Hermione's current position.

Hermione wrapped shivering arms around her body as she turned another corner. Almost there…

"She's late." Tom Riddle sorted through the paperwork at his desk, his attention just barely on the old man standing before him. A drawn out sigh escaped his lips before he continued, "I thought she was supposed to be a star pupil. The fairly impressive grades on her transcript are meaningless lest she proves her initiative outside of the classroom."

"I would say that Miss Granger's grades are much more than fairly impressive. Besides, there are still a few minutes until ten o'clock." Dr. Dumbledore, the head administrator of the internship program, pointed swiftly at the clock by the door and let out a tired sigh. "Patience should be a key virtue in your field of work dear Tom."

"It is, sir," Tom responded, though half-heartedly, "But so is punctuality. Certainly, arriving late when a patient is in critical condition, for instance, should not be tolerated."

"Then you'll do well to remember the incident with Dr. Hagrid and young Myrtle, won't you?" Tom's lips pressed into a fine line until hearing the words escape Dumbledore's mouth. The old man surely loved to pick at every mistake made in Tom's life.

Tom cringed upon noticing Dumbledore's lip curl up slightly, as if he had already won this little banter. Still at a loss for words, he regrettably allowed Dumbledore to continue, "Yes, punctuality is indeed an important skill to have - which you will observe if Miss Granger arrives within the next two minutes."

Tom restrained from rolling his eyes at him. It was one thing to have this girl following him around the hospital like a Labrador, but for her to be late on her first day? He'd rather take the dog.

And couldn't Dumbledore place the intern somewhere else? Surely there are other doctors in Hogwarts that have much less important things to do than he. But of course, Tom Riddle had to be thrown in the pit of suffering just a little longer.

His eyes were stuck on the clock a little too often, his face filled with anxiety and irritation. What was supposed to be just two more minutes had suddenly turned into an agonizing eternity. Bloody hell, had Dumbledore cast some sort of spell to slow down the clock?

"Oh, is that the time then?" Tom said amusingly, smirking at the hour hand striking ten on the clock.

"Tom-"

"She's late, sir. I have better duties to tend to than deal with an incompetent intern." Tom neatly placed his files back onto his desk and stood, lightly brushing Dumbledore's shoulder on his way out-

…and into Hermione Granger.

"Right on time," Hermione said with a huff, trying her hardest to smoothen out a couple of fly-away strands. The rain had pelted her from head to toe by the time she had reached the hospital, drenching her clothes and bringing about quite the unpleasant smell. She took a whiff of her suede sleeve and cringed at the smell of it. That vanilla perfume had better do me a solid…

Her shoes sent an annoying squeak throughout the halls as she made her way towards Dr. Riddle's office, though the sound of her heartbeat and heavy breathing could easily compete with such noise. Was there really a need to be nervous anyway? After all, Riddle had been a student not too long ago – what was a two-year difference, really? Hermione did not have to feel as nervous as she did. She was hardworking, and determined, and focused.

Though perhaps her amount of focus could be improved on just slightly. As she swerved around the corner, a hard, yet comfortably warm body had collided into her.

"Pardon me, I-"

"You," the man, standing impossibly straight and tall murmured, "Are late, Miss Granger."

Tom. I crashed into Tom Riddle - on my first day. Hermione pulled away from him, her face flushed and heated, and as she glanced upwards, she could see an annoyed twitch in the corner of Riddle's lips.

Then upon finally processing his words, she lifted her wrist and took note of the time. Subconsciously, she lifted a brow in disbelief. "But sir, it's exactly-"

"When you were given your schedule Miss Granger, tell me, how did you interpret it?" Tom's voice was at a low, chilling tone. And though Hermione had already taken a small step backwards, Tom's breath still managed to tickle her skin, raising the frizzy hair at the back of her neck.

Hermione cleared her throat through an awkward cough. Then she cupped her hand over the back of her neck in an attempt to settle down her goosebumps, and spoke in a clearer voice, "I beg your pardon?"

"When the clock strikes ten, I expect you to have already walked into my office prepared to begin work, if not having already begun," he replied. "It is now two minutes passed ten, and what have you accomplished so far, little intern?"

Hermione leaned away slightly, her flushed face morphing into one of irritation and offense. There was no denying Riddle's intelligence, nor his status in the medical world, but to what condescending extent could she allow him to speak to her?

Little intern. Hermione nearly snorted.

Dumbledore, having listened to the entire exchange, slowly made his way over to the pair as Hermione finally responded to Tom.

"Actually, Tom-"

And she noticed his lips twitch again. A tingle of satisfaction ran through her as he replied in a rigid tone, "It would be in your best interest to address me as Dr. Riddle, Hermione."

"Ah, but you already seem to have gotten accustomed to addressing me on a first-name basis," she replied, a sarcastic smile plastered on her face. She could feel Tom let out another long breath, though this time she surprisingly felt no effect. Hermione Granger was not someone to so easily take advantage of.

"Hmm." Tom's features twisted, as if trying to control his self from ripping the frizzy hair springing from Hermione's head.

The same smile still remained on Hermione's face as she continued, "Anyway Tom, I hate to point fingers, but had you not taken the time to spew false accusations both on my punctuality and the status I have in this relationship, I-"

"Relationship?" Tom said, slightly amused. "And on that note what, pray tell, do you mean by your status?"

Hermione's cheeks heated up again. It was the eyes! I blame it all on the eyes! "That was a poor choice of words," she muttered.

"Were you solely referring to that particular part of this entire conversation? Or perhaps you mean to withdraw some of your earlier statements as well, Hermione."

"I-"

"Miss Granger," Dumbledore's voice finally interjected. Hermione had finally managed to take in a full breath, taking a moment to get her unsteady heart back to normal. Tom suppressed a chuckled upon noticing the relief on Hermione's face.

Dumbledore's eyes flickered to Tom, then back to Hermione. Brushing lightly passed Tom, he leaned forward to Hermione and extended a welcoming hand towards her. "It's a pleasure to have an intern of such fine caliber here at Hogwarts," he said, and as Hermione responded to his handshake, he gave her a warm smile and added, "I aim to ensure that your experience here will be fulfilling and inspiring towards your future."

"Thank you, sir." Hermione bowed subtly and gave a gentle smile of her own. Though from the corner of her eye, she could see Tom, his patience obviously wearing thin.

Then Dumbledore leaned in closer to Hermione, subtly keeping Tom from peering around him and murmured, "Should any problems arise Miss Granger, you are welcome to inform me about them immediately. I put in a lot of effort to ensure the safety of the interns."

Safety? Just how dangerous was this job supposed to be?

"T-Thank you sir," Hermione repeated, though in a more hesitant voice. "I will do my best to follow proper protocol and avoid any accidents."

Dumbledore's expression suddenly grew grave, and his words came out in a near whisper, "That's not exactly what I was referring to." Then, straightening up and adjusting his collared shirt, he spoke firmer, "Good luck to you, Miss Granger. I suppose I'll leave you to Tom's hands."

Hermione nodded as she watched Dumbledore walk down the hall. Such a nice man, though very peculiar, she thought. Then a cold presence seemed to cloud her thoughts - cold, intimidating, and inching closer and closer to her.

"Miss Granger." Tom's voice came as an eerie whisper, "Have you lost focus already?"

Hermione's eyes narrowed before she turned to fully face him. "Tom-"

"Dr. Riddle."

"Tom, I take it that we've started things off on a little sour note," Hermione said. "And while I can't take back the words I've said-"

"You can't or you won't?"

"Does that really matter? Regardless, the words have been said, have they not?" Again, Hermione heard a strained hum slither through Tom's lips, a sound which she has already grown to quite enjoy. It was a subtle sound, but it meant that she had gained the upper hand. She extended her arm out towards him and said with just the slightest bit of sincerity, "Shall we start on a clean – or perhaps – only a scuffed slate? I think it'd benefit both of us if we try to let things sail smoothly from here on out."

And as she had uttered those words, her hand immediately dropped the moment she took note of Tom's face. It was…emotionless? No, there was some sort of emotion hidden behind that hard mask. There was amusement – no, anger – no – nothing. Absolutely nothing. Yet it was a chilling sight to Hermione's eyes. Such sight was completely different from Tom's pictorials in health magazines. This wasn't the Tom Riddle whom every girl in her classes had swooned over. He seemed…almost dark? Was this a normal thing for the other doctors and nurses to witness in the hospital?

Tom continued to stare at Hermione, with impossibly grey eyes and lips pressed, though just gently. A strange feeling began to brew in the pit of Hermione's stomach – God, why did Riddle have to be this young, and brooding, and-

No. Attractive or not, he'd done you wrong, Granger. Hermione found herself fidgeting with the cuffs of her coat, whilst still waiting for Tom to make any motion.

Then a thought clicked into her mind. "Tom," she began. This time the mention of his first name hadn't made a crack in his expression, though Hermione was expecting as much. "I understand that you may not wish to start anew, but I hope you know that in the moment you've taken to stare at me, unresponsive, you've wasted a good minute or so that could have been used to assign a task for me to do. And was well-spent time not a thing you had said to value?"

Finally, Tom's lips curved into a subtle smirk. Then in a smooth voice, he replied, "If I recall correctly, little intern-"

Hermione held back a cringe. Call me that one more time, Riddle…

"-I had only mentioned the idea of punctuality, and quite briefly, the idea of you receiving assignments from me on schedule." He took a step towards her, just enough to intimidate her a little further, and said in a low voice, "But let's get one thing straight, shall we?"

Hermione refused to take a step away from him, and crossed her arms over her chest. "And what would that be?"

"You're a bright pupil, or so I assume based on the abnormal amount of praise Dumbledore has given you. However, as of now you are my intern, and-"

Hermione nearly snorted at him again. "I am also your responsibility – you are responsible for providing me with proper training and guidance, under safe conditions. And in addition to that, I deserve to be treated with respect unless Dumbledore says otherwise."

Tom let out a frustrated sigh. "You're very fond of interrupting people."

"As are you, Tom."

Another twitch of his lips. Yes. Good on you, Hermione!

"I'd like to alter your proposition and instead say that you will receive whatever respect you deserve. In other words, should you do so much as to speak to me the way you've been doing so for the past few wasted minutes, I will not treat you with the respect you think you deserve."

Guess I took it a little too far with the first-name basis.

"And as I've said," Tom continued, "You are my intern. Your smart-alecky self is extremely fortunate to be given such an opportunity. There are plenty of aspiring medical students looking to get this kind of experience, so you should probably do your best to stay on my good side, Miss Granger. I am the one who provides you with work. I am the one who files weekly reports on you. And now, it seems that I am the one who can make or break your career."

"You can call me Hermione, if you'd like." Hermione nearly slapped herself right then and there after hearing her own voice. Though she hadn't meant for it to sound so bitter, the change in Tom's expression assured her otherwise.

"If I call you Miss Granger, I expect you to address me as Dr. Riddle," he replied. Then that same smirk crossed his face. "Or if you had really hoped to be on such a familiar basis with me in this…relationship, as you've so put it, I suppose you can call me Sir."

Hermione's lips parted slightly, and nothing but a nearly inaudible whimper escaped her lips.

Tom let out a low chuckle and said, "Judging by your unusual silence, I assume you're finally ready to work?"

Hermione nodded. And Tom's eyes narrowed.

"Miss Granger."

She nodded again, followed by an ever so timid, "Yes sir."